Approvals: 1st Level 2nd Level 3rd Level 

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 

National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory 

P.O. Box 18070 

Pittsburgh, PA 15236 

Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0143 Revision: 1.1 Date: 12 September 2005

DETERMINATION OF LOW TEMPERATURE OPERATION - MINIMUM PER MANUFACTURE, 

CLOSED-CIRCUIT, SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS 

STANDARD TESTING PROCEDURE (STP) 

1. PURPOSE

This test establishes the procedures for ensuring that the level of protection provided by the low 

temperature requirements on Closed-Circuit, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) 

submitted for Approval, Extension of Approval, or examined during Certified Product Audits, 

meet the minimum certification standards set forth in 42 CFR, Part 84, Subpart G, Section 

84.63(a)(c)(d), and Subpart H, Section 84.79(a), 84.97(d), and 84.98; Volume 60, Number 110, 

June 8, 1995. 

2. GENERAL

This STP describes the Determination of Low Temperature Operation - Minimum Per 

Manufacture, Closed-Circuit, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus test in sufficient detail that a 

person knowledgeable in the appropriate technical field can select equipment with the necessary 

resolution, conduct the test, and determine whether or not the product passes the test. 

3. EQUIPMENT/MATERIALS

3.1. The list of necessary test equipment and materials follows: 

3.1.1. Environmental Room, Model D69 (Tenney Engineering, Inc.) or equivalent.

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Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0143 Revision: 1.1 Date: 12 September 2005 Page 2 of 12 

3.1.2. Applied Electrochemistry Oxygen Analyzer - Model S-3A or equivalent. 

3.1.3. Applied Electrochemistry CO2 Analyzer - Model CD-3A or equivalent. 

3.1.4. One B-D Yale (2317 100YL) 100cc (Becton, Dickson and Co.) syringe "LuerLok", Becton Dickson & Company, Rutherford, NJ. or equivalent. 

3.1.5. Electric Timer, calibrated to hundredths of a minute (Precision Scientific Co.) or 

equivalent. 

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Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0143 Revision: 1.1 Date: 12 September 2005 Page 3 of 12 

3.1.6. Multiple outlet box with 6 receptacles. 

3.1.7. Two test subjects meeting requirements of the NIOSH Human Subject Review 

Board (HSRB) approved Protocol. Refer to HSRB-73-DSR-01, “Protocol for the 

Testing of Respiratory Protective Devices” for the proper consent form and 

complete details on the use of human test subjects in respirator certification 

testing. 

3.1.8. A PHYSIO - Control Crash Cart - Model 800539 with current dated drugs and 

equipment at the test scene or equivalent. 

4. TESTING REQUIREMENTS AND CONDITIONS

4.1. Prior to beginning any testing, all measuring equipment to be used must have been 

calibrated in accordance with the manufacturer's calibration procedure and schedule. At 

a minimum, all measuring equipment utilized for this testing must have been calibrated 

within the preceding 12 months using a method traceable to the National Institute of 

Standards and Technology (NIST). 

4.2. The compressed gas cylinder must meet all applicable Department of Transportation 

Requirements for cylinder approval as well as for retesting/requalification. 

4.3. Normal laboratory safety practices must be observed. This includes all safety precautions 

described in the current ALOSH Facility Laboratory Safety Manual. 

4.3.1. Safety glasses, lab coats, and hard-toe shoes must be worn during all testing. 

4.3.2. Work benches must be maintained free of clutter and non-essential test 

equipment. 

4.3.3. When handling any glass laboratory equipment, lab technicians and personnel 

must wear special gloves which protect against lacerations or punctures. 

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5. PROCEDURE

Note: Reference Section 3 for equipment, model numbers and manufacturers. For calibration 

purposes use those described in the manufacturer’s operation and maintenance manuals. 

5.1. The apparatus will be precooled at the specified minimum temperature for 4 hours. 

5.2. The apparatus will be worn in the cold temperature chamber for 30 minutes or for the 

service time of the apparatus, whichever is less. 

5.3. During the test period, alternate 1-minute periods of exercise and rest will be required 

with the exercise periods consisting of stepping onto and off a box 21.5 cm (8 l/2 

inches) high at a rate of 30 cycles per minute. 

5.4. The test subject shall be constantly monitored during the test to determine that the unit is 

functioning satisfactorily and that they are not experiencing undue discomfort because of 

air flow restrictions or other physical or chemical changes in the operation of the 

apparatus. 

5.5. A sample of the unit atmosphere will be taken during the l-minute rest periods. The 

sample will be taken immediately downstream of the carbon dioxide scrubber only during 

the inhalation portion of the test subject's breathing cycle. 

5.6. The sample will be evaluated for its oxygen and carbon dioxide content using the 

respective analyses. 

5.7. Data Analysis 

5.7.1. Record remarks concerning unit operation and test subject's comments on test 

data sheet. 

5.7.2. Oxygen concentration is obtained directly from analyzer and recorded on test 

data sheet. 

5.7.3. Carbon dioxide concentration is obtained directly from analyzer and recorded on 

test data sheet. 

Note: This test should be done on a minimum of two respirators, or more if additional testing is 

required (42 CFR, Part 84 - Sections 84.12, 84.30, and 84.60.) 

6. PASS\FAIL CRITERIA

6.1. The criterion for passing this test is set forth in 42 CFR, Part 84, Subpart G, Section 

84.63(a)(c)(d), and Subpart H, Section 84.79(a), 84.97(d), and 84.98; Volume 60, 

Number 110, June 8, 1995. 

6.2. This test establishes the standard procedure for ensuring that: 

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Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0143 Revision: 1.1 Date: 12 September 2005 Page 5 of 12 

84.63 Test requirements; general. 

(a) Each respirator and respirator component shall when tested by the applicant and by 

the Institute, meet the applicable requirements set forth in subparts H through L of this 

part. 

(c) In addition to the minimum requirements set forth in subparts H through L of this 

part, the Institute reserves the right to require, as a further condition of approval, any 

additional requirements deemed necessary to establish the quality, effectiveness, and 

safety of any respirator used as protection against hazardous atmospheres. 

(d) Where it is determined after receipt of an application that additional requirements will 

be required for approval, the Institute will notify the applicant in writing of these 

additional requirements, and necessary examinations, inspections, or tests, stating 

generally the reasons for such requirements, examinations, inspections, or tests. 

84.79 Breathing gas; minimum requirements. 

(a) Breathing gas used to supply apparatus shall be respirable and contain no less than 

19.5 (dry atmosphere) volume percent of oxygen. 

84.97 Test for carbon dioxide in inspired gas; open- and closed-circuit apparatus; 

maximum allowable limits. 

(d) In addition to the test requirements for closed-circuit apparatus set forth in paragraph 

(b) of this section, gas samples will be taken during the course of the man tests described 

in Tables 1, 2, 3, and 4 of this subpart. These gas samples will be taken from the closedcircuit apparatus at a point downstream of the carbon dioxide sorbent, and they shall not 

contain more than 0.5 percent carbon dioxide at any time, except on apparatus for escape 

only, using a mouthpiece only, the sample shall not contain more than 1.5 percent carbon 

dioxide at any time. 

84.98 Tests during low temperature operation: 

(a) The applicant shall specify the minimum temperature for safe operation and two 

persons will perform the tests described in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section wearing 

the apparatus according to applicant's directions. At the specified temperature, the 

apparatus shall meet all the requirements described in paragraph (e) of this section. 

(b) The apparatus will be precooled at the specified minimum temperature for 4 hours. 

(c) The apparatus will be worn in the low temperature chamber for 30 minutes, or for the 

service time of the apparatus, whichever is less. 

(d) During the test period, alternate l-minute periods of exercise and rest will be required 

with the exercise periods consisting of stepping onto and off a box 21.5 cm (8 l/2 inches) 

high at a rate of 30 cycles per minute. 

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Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0143 Revision: 1.1 Date: 12 September 2005 Page 6 of 12 

(e) (1) The apparatus shall function satisfactorily at the specified minimum 

temperature on duplicate tests. 

(2) The wearer shall have sufficient unobscured vision to perform the work. 

(3) The wearer shall not experience undue discomfort because of air flow 

restriction or other physical or chemical changes in the operation of the 

apparatus. 

(f) Auxiliary low-temperature parts which are commercially available to the user 

may be used on the apparatus to meet the requirements described in paragraph (e) 

of this section. 

6.3 (1) Oxygen and carbon dioxide levels will be monitored if the unit being tested is a 

closed-circuit breathing apparatus. 

(2) Oxygen levels shall be greater than l9.5%. 

(3) Carbon dioxide levels shall not exceed 1.5% if the unit uses a mouthpiece and 0.5% if 

the unit utilizes a facepiece. 

7. RECORDS\TEST SHEETS

7.1. All test data will be recorded on the COLD TEMPERATURE TEST, CLOSEDCIRCUIT, SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS test data sheet. 

7.2. All videotapes and photographs of the actual test being performed, or of the tested 

equipment shall be maintained in the task file as part of the permanent record. 

7.3. All equipment failing any portion of this test will be handled as follows; 

7.3.1. If the failure occurs on a new certification application, or extension of approval 

application, send a test report to the RCT Leader and prepare the hardware for 

return to the manufacturer. 

7.3.2. If the failure occurs on hardware examined under an Off-the-Shelf Audit the 

hardware will be examined by a technician and the RCT Leader for cause. All 

equipment failing any portion of this test may be sent to the manufacturer for 

examination and then returned to NIOSH. However, the hardware tested shall be 

held at the testing laboratory until authorized for release by the RCT Leader, or 

his designee, following the standard operating procedures outlined in Procedure 

for Scheduling, and Processing Post-Certification Product Audits, RB-SOP0005-00. 

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Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0143 Revision: 1.1 Date: 12 September 2005 Page 7 of 12 

COLD TEMPERATURE TEST, CLOSED-CIRCUIT, 

SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS

Project No : Date: __________ 

Company : ___________________________________________ 

Respirator Type: ___________________________________________ 

Reference: 42 CFR, Part 84, Subpart H, Section 84.79(a), Section 84.97(d), and 84.98 

Requirement: 84.79 Breathing gas; minimum requirements. 

(a) Breathing gas used to supply apparatus shall be respirable and contain no less than 

19.5 (dry atmosphere) volume percent of oxygen. 

84.97 Test for carbon dioxide in inspired gas; open- and closed-circuit apparatus; 

maximum allowable limits. 

(d) In addition to the test requirements for closed-circuit apparatus set forth in paragraph 

(b) of this section, gas samples will be taken during the course of the man tests described 

in Tables 1, 2, 3, and 4 of this subpart. These gas samples will be taken from the closedcircuit apparatus at a point downstream of the carbon dioxide sorbent, and they shall not 

contain more than 0.5 percent carbon dioxide at any time, except on apparatus for escape 

only, using a mouthpiece only, the sample shall not contain more than 1.5 percent carbon 

dioxide at any time. 

 84.98 Tests during low temperature operation: 

(a) The applicant shall specify the minimum temperature for safe operation and two 

persons will perform the tests described in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section, wearing 

the apparatus according to applicant's directions. At the specified temperature, the 

apparatus shall meet the requirements described in paragraph (e) of this section. 

(b) The apparatus will be precooled at the specified minimum temperature for 4 hours. 

(c) The apparatus will be worn in the low temperature chamber for 30 minutes, or for the 

service time of the apparatus, whichever is less. 

(d) During the test period, alternate 1-min. periods of exercise and rest will be required 

with the exercise periods consisting of stepping onto and off a box 21.5 cm. (8 1⁄2 inches) 

high at a rate of 30 cycles per minute. 

(e) 1. The apparatus shall function satisfactorily at the specified minimum temperature 

on duplicate tests. 

 2. The wearer shall have sufficient unobscured vision to perform the work. 

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Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0143 Revision: 1.1 Date: 12 September 2005 Page 8 of 12 

 3. The wearer shall not experience undue discomfort because of airflow restriction 

or other physical or chemical changes in the operation of the apparatus. 

(f) Auxiliary low-temperature parts which are commercially available to the user 

may be used on the apparatus to meet the requirements described in paragraph (e) 

of this section. 

O2 shall be greater than 19.5%, CO2 shall not exceed 0.5%. 

Results: 

1.Subject: Chamber Temp. o

F 

Sample No. O2% CO2% Remarks

1. ________ 

2. ________ 

3. ________ 

4. ________ 

5. ________ 

6. ________ 

7. ________ 

8. ________ 

9. ________ 

10. ________ 

11. ________ 

12. ________ 

13. ________ 

14. ________ 

15. ________ 

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Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0143 Revision: 1.1 Date: 12 September 2005 Page 9 of 12 

 2.Subject: Chamber Temp. oF 

Sample No. O2% CO2% Remarks

1. ________ 

2. ________ 

3. ________ 

4. ________ 

5. ________ 

6. ________ 

7. ________ 

8. ________ 

9. ________ 

10. ________ 

11. ________ 

12. ________ 

13. ________ 

14. ________ 

15. ________ 

Comments: 

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 

Test Engineer: PASS FAIL_______ 

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Procedure No. RCT-ASR-STP-0143 Revision: 1.1 Date: 12 September 2005 Page 12 of 12 

Revision History 

Revision Date Reason for Revision 

1.0 23 May 2001 Historic document 

1.1 12 September 

2005 

Update header and format to reflect lab move from Morgantown, WV 

No changes to method 

 

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